Page 108 of Sovereign Oaths

He offered a quick smile before binding my ankles and wrists to the chair. He glanced around and then kissed me once before tying a cloth over my mouth.

Once he was gone, I closed my eyes. This was an all too familiar position. It was how Brazzi’s men had me, minus the gag. At least I’d been able to talk to Ama and reassure her we would be fine while she promised me Alessio would come for us.

Only, she’d been right. I’d been wrong. He had come, but we hadn’t both made it out.

My friend, possibly my first female one, hadn’t deserved that end. But if it hadn’t happened then, it would have been today.

I didn’t think I had many tears left for her and her mother, but they came, freely running down my cheeks as the sounds of cars and feet surrounded the building.

He was here.

A hand wrapped around my neck—not tight, but unexpected. I jerked away.

“It’s me,” Cruz whispered. “I volunteered for this.”

So he was going to play my captor? I hadn’t thought about it, but I was glad it was one of them. His presence was reassuring.

I nodded and the doors at the opposite end burst open.

Alessio ran in, followed by a dozen men. “Millie!”

I screamed against my gag and pretended to fight against the restraints.

He spotted me. “Fuck! Amor!”

When he was about halfway in, more men poured into the building. Cruz reached down, trailing his fingers over my jaw, down my neck, and cupping my breast.

Alessio let out a roar. “Get your fucking hands off her!”

He held up his gun, aimed right at me now that Cruz was pressing kisses along the same path his hand took.

Alessio skidded to a halt. “Get away from her!”

Cruz chuckled. “I don’t think I will.”

“Stop!” He looked so broken. So completely terrified.

The doors slammed shut. Alessio turned, confused. Before he could face me again, shots rang out.

Over and over. Filling the space. Then silence.

I thought my heart was stone.

But the sight before me was too much.

He was face down. Unmoving.

Cruz hugged me from behind. “It’s okay.”

It wasn’t.

I lured this man to his death.

Cruz held me, and I rested my head against his shoulder. The worst was over. My job was nearly complete.

“Round two coming in!” a deep voice bellowed, and Cruz straightened. A moment later, the doors opened again. Martin led in a new wave of men.

He stopped when he saw his boss’s body.

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